TWO DEAD porpoises have washed up on west Dorset beaches.

Lyme Regis Coastguard team was tasked to a report of a dolphin washed ashore between Charmouth and Lyme Regis at around 2.15pm yesterday afternoon.

On arrival at the scene, the team were made aware of another deceased dolphin close to the foreshore at Charmouth. The second animal was located, and both were identified as porpoises, not dolphins.

Details including full measurements, tooth count, sex, dorsal, pectoral and fluke condition as well as notable injuries were all recorded which was then sent to the Natural History Museum for analysis.

This comes after a dead dolphin washed up at West Bay earlier this week.

Dolphins, porpoises, and whales are all protected under the Royal Fish Laws of the UK. The coastguard undertakes duties on behalf of the Receiver of a Wreck to record details of Royal Fish washed ashore.

For emergencies at sea, on cliffs, rivers, mud, harbours and beaches call 999 and ask for the coastguard.